Summary: A Biblical based hope

As we go through each day of our lives it is filled with hopeful expectations. For some it may be as simple as hope for better health, more success, better sleep ect… It is alright to hope for such things; but, this morning I want to share with you the Biblical hope and expectation that we, as Christians, must constantly meditate and abide within. Such a WONDERFUL HOPE: The hope of the imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is returning very soon! Are you ready for His return? Are you hopefully expectant for His return?

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope [An active Imperative (command): elpizō= expect] to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”;

“Gird” Has the idea of getting ready for work. “The loins of the human body comprising the five lower vertebrae of the back, so-called perhaps from the labor they can do and sustain when a man exerts his strength.” Ref: Zodhiates, Spiros (ed). The Complete Word Study Dictionary, Loins. Strong’s #G3751 (Old and New Testaments). Chattanooga: AMG, 1993. E-Sword, Version 9.5.1.

Here Peter is encouraging a specific class of listeners: (vs.1) To the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God… (Vs.2). Peter is speaking to scattered (literally the dispersed) Christians (Jew and Gentile) throughout these particular Roman Providences.

Let us examine this wonderfully heaven sent expectation this morning. Notice Peter thematically stresses the “end of the ages” in this short epistle. I am convinced that Peter thought he was living in these “end” times; more so is it apparent that we are also living in this day and age. See the thematic thread here:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten [regenerated] us again unto a lively [zao= living] hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

It is termed “lively” because it stems through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”